Not All Courses Grant You a Modality – What You Need to Know

2025-01-28T10:33:02-07:00January 28th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

The continuing education industry for massage therapy is MASSIVE! There are so many course providers out there seeking to provide training in EVERYTHING!We get it, because as an Association we get to see the hundreds of different courses that get submitted to us for CEC approval every year. Why, last year alone CMMOTA assessed over 300 new courses!Here however, is “the sticky”, as you might say. Just because you take a course that received approval from the Association for CEC’s doesn’t mean that you can practice what you learned in the course! Crazy, we know – but to understand why [...]

What is a Treatment Plan and Why is it Important

2025-01-28T12:37:24-07:00January 28th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

A treatment plan is a therapist's plan for care, developed in consultation with the client, for either a single session or multiple treatments. It is based on the client’s health history, input, and both pre-treatment and in-treatment assessments. The plan should be included in the client’s written treatment notes, with any updates or progress documented during multiple sessions.Treatment plans are essential because they explain the “why” and “how” of the treatment, showing the therapist’s due diligence in meeting the client’s needs. Health insurance companies often review treatment plans during audits. Failure to include a plan in a client’s records could lead [...]

Firing/Dismissing a Client

2025-01-28T11:15:18-07:00January 27th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Most therapists are faced with this part of the job at some point in their career. There are a multitude of reasons that you may have for dismissing a client. Some examples may be continued no shows, inappropriate behaviour in the treatment room, a client who fails to do their part in assigned home care, or very simply not seeing results from the treatment that you provide. No matter what the case may be, when firing/dismissing a client, it is important that the therapist clearly convey to the client the reasons for asking them to seek their treatment from another [...]

What You Need to Know About Cell Phones in Treatment Rooms

2025-01-28T11:32:28-07:00January 21st, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Cell phones are a very important tool that a massage or manual osteopathic therapist can leverage in their practice. They can prove to be extremely helpful in being able to access information (like that treatment technique you learned at the course last week), to book client appointments, or to use an app for maintaining your client records or for providing receipts. Many therapists use them as a source for the relaxing music that helps set a great environment within the treatment space…. But did you know that bringing a cell phone into a treatment area could land you in serious breach [...]

What You Need to Know About Health Insurance Fraud

2025-01-28T10:03:53-07:00December 10th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

We want to share some valuable resources that are provided free of charge by the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) surrounding Health Insurance Fraud, and things that you can incorporate into your practice, or when you are on the job hunt for a new professional opportunity, to help prevent Health Insurance Fraud. The first resource is entitled How Healthcare Providers Can Protect Themselves from Identity Theft (click here). This is a great resource that will give you tools to protect your professional identity. The second resource is an entire website dedicated to healthcare fraud prevention and awareness – Fraud [...]

The Importance of Documentation

2025-01-30T13:14:47-07:00November 13th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

It is the professional responsibility of all massage or manual osteopathic therapists to maintain client records for at least 10 years after the client’s last treatment, longer if the client was a minor at the time of their last treatment. CMMOTA has written policy on what client records are to include, and the time frame in which treatment notes are to be completed by the therapist. These are contained in CMMOTA’s Client Records, Charting, and Treatment Notes Policy. Failure to maintain proper client records is considered to be professional misconduct and would result in disciplinary action if discovered and reported. [...]

What You Need to Know About Gift Cards & Certificates

2024-11-29T13:27:13-07:00November 8th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

When it comes to issuing gift cards & gift certificates did you know that depending on which Province you are in, there may be specific legislation which governs issuing gift certificates and gift receipts? An example of this – in Alberta having an expiration date on a Gift Card is illegal as is having an expiration on a Gift Certificate IF it has an original cash. If you are providing gift certificates or gift cards, please make sure that you are aware of and follow the law(s) that governs your jurisdiction. When it comes to a therapist issuing gift cards and [...]

How To Build A Strong Massage Therapy Network

2024-11-05T10:29:51-07:00November 1st, 2024|Categories: Blog|

As a massage therapist, your success isn't just about mastering techniques; it's about building connections. A strong massage therapy network can be the key to growing your practice, attracting new massage clients, and integrating more deeply into your community.  Networking helps you find colleagues to collaborate with, potential hires for your practice, and a steady stream of referrals. By investing time and effort into building a solid professional network, you create a foundation for a thriving business and a fulfilling career. This article will guide you through the steps to establish and nurture an active massage therapy network. Why Is Networking [...]

Have You Done a Google Search?

2025-01-30T13:22:43-07:00October 17th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Every so often we get questions from concerned members about their information being listed on a random website. There are many different web page designers out there who mine data from places like the Yellow Pages, Facebook, Google Search, Instagram, X, and other sites in an attempt to bring traffic to their particular page. While many times these sites have no harmful intent, there are times where unscrupulous individuals will add a therapist’s information to their “illicit massage” sites. One way that you can be aware of and can combat this type of information sharing, if it is of concern to [...]

What NOT to do When You Have Been Sexually Harassed

2025-01-09T10:53:24-07:00September 21st, 2024|Categories: Blog|

It is incredibly unfortunate that sexual harassment is so prevalent within the massage therapy industry. If you have experienced this, please know that you are not alone, and that what has happened to you is not your fault. We know that for many who experience this firsthand it can be traumatizing, and leave you feeling uncomfortable, embarrassed, unsafe, angry, frustrated, afraid, and a wide range of other feelings and emotions.Sexual harassment is any unwanted comment, gesture, or action that is sexual in nature (aside from unwanted touching of sexual body parts, which is sexual assault), that makes someone feel afraid, [...]

How to Submit a CEC for Review

2024-12-11T17:28:10-07:00September 12th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Submitting a course for CEC review has never been easier. There are two ways that you can submit a CEC for review. If you have completed the course, you can log into your CMMOTA Member Profile by Clicking Here. Once you have logged in, if you are one a computer click on the CEC button on the left side of your screen, or if you are on your phone or tablet click on the three bar menu, and select the CEC button. This will open the CEC portion of your member profile. There on the right side of the screen [...]

What You Need to Know About In House Training and Professional Liability Coverage

2024-09-13T12:44:36-06:00September 12th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

It has come to our attention that some clinics are providing in-house training for modalities (hot stone, cupping, spa esthetics, etc.) or use of certain equipment (laser therapy, ultrasound, etc.).  Therapists need to be aware that regardless of where you may receive your training, unless you have training that has been recognized by your professional liability insurance company, your professional liability insurance may not cover you for use of unrecognized training or use of certain equipment. In such an instance, any liability for damages or accidental injury of a client that may be caused by providing such treatment would fall completely [...]

Sexual Harassment – Steps to Take Before, and if Something Occurs

2025-01-09T10:56:45-07:00September 12th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

If you have been a therapist for long, you have probably heard about the client who asks for a massage of a sexual nature. We wish that this was not something that we needed to write about, but over the last number of years we have seen a consistent rise in reports coming back to the office and asking what the therapist should do. If this has happened to you, first of all we want you to know that we are sorry that you had to experience such a horrible thing. Know you are not alone, and that you will get [...]

The Difference Between Professional Liability Insurance and Disability Insurance

2024-09-05T14:29:32-06:00September 5th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

We get this question in the office occasionally when a therapist runs into issues surrounding their ability to continue practice due to an injury that has occurred to them, either because of their practice, or because of some sort of accident away from their workspace.  We recognize that this is a very important topic because it pertains to your livelihood often as an independent business owner or contractor. It is often at this point that therapists reach out to us hoping that their professional liability coverage will provide them with some form of coverage.  Here is the reality – Professional Liability [...]

Safeguarding Your Digital World: Tips for Online Security and File Storage

2024-08-28T09:44:19-06:00August 28th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

In our daily digital routines, from browsing on devices to sharing personal information, we often overlook the risks lurking online. It's crucial to prioritize your digital wellbeing and take proactive steps to stay protected in our increasingly interconnected world  Understanding the Risks Today, we rely heavily on third-party cloud services, share personal data unknowingly, and frequently work from home with sensitive information. This environment exposes us to a growing number of cyber threats including hackers, scams, and data breaches. Taking Action: 10 Steps to Protect Yourself Online Avoid Suspicious Emails: Refrain from opening emails from unknown senders. Keep Devices Updated: Regularly [...]

Protecting Yourself as a Therapist: Insights and Tips

2024-08-21T11:07:12-06:00August 21st, 2024|Categories: Blog|

In previous discussions members and staff shared valuable insights on safeguarding yourself as a therapist. Whether you're new to the industry or seasoned, these tips can help you navigate potential risks effectively: Insights from Our Members: Beware of Employment Practices: Exercise caution when working at establishments offering student massages or employing non-RMTs. Instances have been reported where unregistered individuals practiced under another practitioner's name for billing purposes. Monitor Your Schedule and Records: Regularly check your appointment schedule and compare it against payments received. Keeping detailed records can help you prove your innocence in case of discrepancies or fraudulent claims. Be Aware [...]

Recognizing Educators and Member Referrals at CMMOTA

2025-01-30T13:34:48-07:00August 14th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

At CMMOTA, we believe in the power of education to shape the future of massage and manual osteopathic therapy in Canada. As a valued member contributing to this mission, we appreciate your dedication and commitment to these professions. Supporting Educators As an educator providing instruction in a recognized massage or manual osteopathic therapy program, you can earn 6 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) annually. For instructions on how you can receive these credits please see this form(click here). If you instruct continuing education workshops outside of formal programs or assist in a workshop, similar documentation applies (click here for more info), allowing [...]

What You Need to Know When Leaving a Clinic

2025-01-30T13:36:37-07:00August 9th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

It is inevitable – at some point in time you will leave your current place of practice, whether that means moving to a new practice location, or retiring. Sometimes these moves are well planned out, other times not. Here is a short guide on things that you need to consider when leaving a place of practice. One of the best things that you can do is to organize details of clinic departure before it happens. One way to do this is to include these details in either your employment or subcontractor contract. If your current agreement has not contemplated such [...]

Ensuring Legitimate First Aid Certification: What You Need to Know

2024-08-07T13:03:11-06:00August 7th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Discovering the right first aid course and provider can be daunting due to the variety available. Here’s why it matters and how to ensure you get what you need. The Importance of Valid Certification Recently, we've noticed an uptick in fraudulent first aid certificates. For therapists, this poses a serious risk after investing time and money in certifications that may not be valid for Standard (Intermediate) First Aid and Level C CPR. How to Verify Legitimacy To safeguard your investment, follow these steps to verify if your course provider offers legitimate certification: Check the Overriding Organization: Ask your provider which organization [...]

Understanding Professional Liability Insurance for Massage and Manual Osteopathic Therapists

2024-07-31T08:31:50-06:00July 31st, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Navigating professional liability insurance is crucial for practitioners in massage and manual osteopathic therapy. Not all insurance policies are created equal, and understanding the differences can significantly impact your practice. Here’s what you need to know: Occurrence-Based vs. Claims Made Coverage Occurrence-Based Coverage: Coverage Details: Provides protection for incidents that occur during the policy period, regardless of when a claim is filed. Example: If an injury claim arises from a treatment performed years ago, as long as the policy was active at the time of treatment, coverage applies, even if the policy has since lapsed. Benefits: Offers continuous coverage for incidents [...]

6 Ways To Grow Your Massage Business

2025-01-30T13:39:24-07:00July 29th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Growing your massage business can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your practice to the next level, these tips will help you attract more clients, improve your skills, and streamline your operations. Keep reading to discover practical and actionable strategies to grow your massage business and achieve lasting success. Tips To Grow Your Massage Business Join CMMOTA for professional development, networking, and marketing support. Build a strong referral network. Embrace massage therapy software + technology (marketing tools) Master your soft skills. Continuously improve your practice with ongoing education. Automate administrative tasks to save [...]

Practicing Massage in a Regulated Province – What You Need to Know!

2025-01-30T13:41:24-07:00July 27th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

In Canada the practice of massage therapy is regulated in the provinces of Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia. Although legislation to regulate the profession has been passed in Saskatchewan it has not yet come into force, and as such will continue to remain unregulated until such time as that legislation comes into force. For those CMMOTA members who have gained registration with a College of Massage Therapy and are an active member of the College in the province in which you are providing treatment, we simply ask that you follow the rules which [...]

How should I write my receipts: 

2025-01-30T13:45:58-07:00July 23rd, 2024|Categories: Blog|

How should I write my receipts: While each health care insurance provider does from time to time do a random check of information, often the reason for this request is because something is either missing on the receipt, or there is a difference between the information that is provided on the receipt and the information that we have on file for you that we regularly provide to the health insurance companies. It is important to note that if you change locations or have multiple business locations that updating your information through your membership portal on the website will help to reduce [...]

The Importance of Self-Care and Professionalism in Massage Therapy and Manual Osteopathic Therapy

2024-07-23T15:15:21-06:00July 23rd, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Massage therapy and manual osteopathic therapy are pivotal healthcare professions that demand dedication and commitment to both clients and oneself. Your success hinges on how well you manage these aspects of your practice. Prioritize Self-Care for Long-Term Success Self-care is paramount in maintaining longevity in massage therapy and manual osteopathic therapy. By taking care of yourself, you can better serve your clients. Begin by defining your ideal client load early on. Many therapists experience work-related injuries, particularly within their first two years, often stemming from overuse syndromes in the elbows, forearms, and wrists. To mitigate these risks, consider working part-time initially [...]

Why is Intermediate First Aid and Level C CPR a Requirement?

2024-12-11T17:46:15-07:00July 11th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

The reason a minimum level of Intermediate First Aid Level C CPR is a requirement for a full Massage or Manual Osteopathic therapist is two-fold.First, it ensures you can respond quickly and effectively in an emergency. Quick responses ensure the safety and well-being of your clients. Intermediate (formerly Standard) First Aid Level C CPR is required over Basic/Emergency First Aid and CPR A as it provides a more comprehensive set of skills. Intermediate First Aid provides training on topics such as head, neck, spinal, bone, muscle, and joint injuries as well as sudden medical emergencies. CPR C is required over CPR [...]

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